Cavendish won the Milan-San Remo Classic in March

Mark Cavendish has won the second stage of the Three Days of De Panne race taking place in Belgium.

Cavendish, who won the same stage last year, saw off Australia's Robbie McEwen and Italy's Francesco Chicchi in a sprint finish.

"It was a long day, we had everyone there when the race split on the Kemmelberg," said Cavendish.

"The gap on the escape got bigger than we expected, but the guys did well to bring it all back."

Italy's Filippo Pozzato, who won the opening stage, retained the overall lead following the 219km run from Zottegem to Coxyde.

606: DEBATE Another scorching victory that left the others wondering why they bothered to get out of their beds this morning misterbrownshoes

Cavendish, 23, was racing for the first time since last week's Track World Championships in Poland where the Manx rider finished sixth alongside Peter Kennaugh in the madison after Kennaugh suffered a crash.

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